Increasing COVID-19 Vaccine Options... Government Emphasizes "Safety First"

Moderna in US Announces Interim Results with 94.5% Efficacy
Unlike Pfizer, Stored at 2.2~7.8°C
MFDS: "Safety Tests to Be Completed in the Shortest Time"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine developed by the U.S. pharmaceutical company Moderna has shown an interim efficacy rate of 94.5% in its Phase 3 clinical trial, diversifying the options for COVID-19 vaccines.

Following the interim results from the joint vaccine development by the U.S. pharmaceutical company Pfizer and German BioNTech, which showed over 90% efficacy in Phase 3 clinical trials, global pharmaceutical companies are reporting successive achievements.

In particular, Moderna's vaccine uses the same messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) method as Pfizer's, but unlike Pfizer's vaccine, which must be stored at an ultra-low temperature of minus 70 degrees Celsius, Moderna's vaccine can be stored for up to 30 days at standard refrigerator temperatures of 2.2 to 7.8 degrees Celsius. This reduces the difficulties associated with ultra-low temperature distribution at minus 70 degrees Celsius, which is an advantage.

Government Holds Advisory Committee on COVID-19 Vaccine Introduction
MFDS: "Comprehensive Consideration of Side Effects and Number of Doses"

Following Pfizer, Moderna has been releasing Phase 3 results one after another, prompting the South Korean government to actively prepare for the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines. On the 12th, the government held its first advisory committee meeting on COVID-19 vaccine introduction to discuss standards related to vaccine procurement.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team, said, "It is difficult to specifically mention the companies under negotiation, but the committee is negotiating with pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and Moderna, which are nearing the completion of Phase 3 trials," adding, "The committee will focus on selecting companies by considering which vaccines are relatively stable."

The government plans to secure an initial supply for 10 million people through COVAX Facility, a multinational consortium for COVID-19 vaccine procurement, and to secure an additional supply for 20 million people through negotiations with global companies. On the 12th, Kwon Jun-wook, the second deputy head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, said, "The goal is to secure vaccines for 60% of the total population within this year, and negotiations are progressing smoothly," adding, "We will secure sufficient quantities even if it means forfeiting all advance payments."

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) also announced that it will form a team and prepare for the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines. At a press briefing the day before, Kim Gang-lip, the head of MFDS, said, "We will form the best team to complete safety inspections in the shortest possible time," and added, "MFDS will strive to act as a facilitator without becoming an obstacle to the use of reliable COVID-19 vaccines."

However, Director Kim also emphasized that the introduction of safe vaccines is the top priority. He said, "Vaccine clinical trials usually take 8 to 9 years, but now they are being developed rapidly within 1 to 2 years," and lamented, "Regulatory authorities have a heavy burden as they must verify safety under limited conditions."

Director Kim stressed, "Each vaccine product has different characteristics, and the first to cross the finish line is not necessarily the winner," adding, "Since the fifth place could be the winner, we will comprehensively consider possible side effects, number of doses, and vaccination effectiveness to introduce vaccines based on safety."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.